Do I need a permit to own an exotic animal in Long Beach?

It depends on the species and whether the animal is classified as wild, dangerous, or exotic under city rules; check the municipal code and contact Animal Care Services.

Where do I apply for a permit?

Applications are handled by the city department listed for animal permits, typically Animal Care Services or Licensing; request the current form from Animal Care Services via the city contact page.

What happens if I keep a regulated exotic animal without a permit?

You may face enforcement actions such as seizure, abatement orders, administrative citations, or court referral; monetary fine amounts are not specified on the cited municipal code page.

Long Beach Exotic Animal Permit Requirements

Public Health and Welfare California 3 Minutes Read · published February 08, 2026

Long Beach, California requires owners of certain non-domestic and exotic animals to comply with municipal regulations, obtain any required permits, and follow public-health and safety rules. This guide summarizes how Long Beach treats exotic and wild animals, outlines enforcement and penalties, lists typical application steps, and points to the city offices that can confirm species-specific requirements and forms. Owners should confirm whether their species is regulated and whether an exception or variance is possible under city rules; see the Long Beach municipal code for controlling provisions^[1].

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement is handled by city enforcement teams with coordination from Animal Care Services and municipal code enforcement. Specific monetary fines for exotic animal violations are not stated on the cited municipal code page; the code references civil remedies and enforcement authority but does not list set dollar amounts on that page^[1]. Typical enforcement actions may include orders to remove or relocate animals, seizure, abatement, civil penalties, administrative citations, and referral to court for injunctions or contempt proceedings.

Fines: not specified on the cited municipal code page; see municipal code for civil penalty authority.^[1]
Non-monetary sanctions: seizure, abatement orders, administrative hold on license, or court injunctions as authorized by city enforcement.
Enforcer: City code enforcement and Animal Care Services coordinate investigations and inspections.
Complaint/inspection pathway: report concerns to Animal Care Services or Code Enforcement; see Help and Support / Resources below for contact pages.

Appeals and administrative reviews are typically through the city administrative hearings or civil court; exact time limits are not specified on the cited page.

Applications & Forms

Applications, permit forms, and fee schedules for keeping regulated exotic animals are managed by City departments listed below; a consolidated species-specific permit form is not posted on the cited Animal Care Services landing page and fee amounts are not specified on that page^[2]. Owners should contact Animal Care Services or the relevant permitting office to request application materials, schedule inspections, and confirm fees.

Form name/number: not specified on the cited Animal Care Services page; request current application from Animal Care Services.^[2]
Fees: not specified on the cited Animal Care Services page; fees vary by permit type and inspection requirements.
Deadlines: no universal deadline published; permitting is typically prior to keeping the animal.

How the process typically works

The following steps summarize common municipal processes for exotic animal permits: determine regulatory status, apply, schedule inspection, pay fees, and comply with conditions. Exact procedures and documentation requirements depend on the species and permit type.

Determine if the species is regulated under the Long Beach municipal code or county/state restrictions.
Obtain and complete the permit application from Animal Care Services or the listed permitting office.
Schedule inspection and submit required supporting documents (veterinary records, enclosure plans, liability insurance if required).
Pay fees and comply with any conditions on the permit (yearly renewals, reporting, restrictions).
If denied, follow the administrative appeal or hearing process in city rules.

Always verify species-specific rules before acquiring an exotic animal.

FAQ

Do I need a permit to own an exotic animal in Long Beach?: It depends on the species and whether the animal is classified as wild, dangerous, or exotic under city rules; check the municipal code and contact Animal Care Services.
Where do I apply for a permit?: Applications are handled by the city department listed for animal permits, typically Animal Care Services or Licensing; request the current form from Animal Care Services via the city contact page.
What happens if I keep a regulated exotic animal without a permit?: You may face enforcement actions such as seizure, abatement orders, administrative citations, or court referral; monetary fine amounts are not specified on the cited municipal code page.

How-To

Identify the species and review the Long Beach municipal code to confirm whether the animal is regulated.
Contact Animal Care Services to request the application and fee schedule.
Complete the application, assemble required documentation, and schedule any mandatory inspections.
Submit the application, pay applicable fees, and comply with permit conditions and inspection requirements.
If denied, file an appeal or request an administrative hearing according to city procedures.

Key Takeaways

Long Beach regulates certain exotic animals and owners must check city rules before acquiring them.
Contact Animal Care Services or Code Enforcement early to obtain accurate application and inspection requirements.